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Lavon pulled his navigator up to Earl's house early the next morning to pick Earl up to take him to Mobile. Lavon opened his door and walked around to help Zoë get out of the vehicle and onto the ground safely. They both walked up to the porch of Earl's house and notice that there were many black garbage bags piled by the door. Zoë gave Lavon a questioning look as she reached to ring the door bell. Lavon just shrugged and smiled.
"Good morning Zoë and Mayor". Earl greeted after he opened the door with a huge smile on his face.
"Good morning Earl" Zoë slowly returned. "What are all these garbage bags beside the door"? Zoë pointed to said garbage bags.
"I know you said ya'll would help but I decided to get started and that's as far as I got". Earl said a little disappointed.
"Don't worry about how far you got. The amazing thing is that you took this seriously and started the work". Zoë said proud of Wade's father.
"Thank you" Earl returned humbly.
"Let's get going. We have a ride ahead of us". Lavon announced to move the trio along to the navigator.
They all climbed in the SUV and were on their way to Mobile for hopefully a happy beginning.
"Are you excited Earl? I'm just the Godfather and I can't wait to see the fuzzy black and white picture of Little W". Lavon asked trying to make conversation.
"I am. I thought this day would never come. I love Wade dearly but I never thought he would be a father unless it was an accident". Earl answered honestly.
"I assure you this wasn't planned". Zoë said with a soft laugh.
"I didn't mean any offence. I wasn't even thinking about you when I said it. You're a good woman, Zoë and as far as accidents go, I'm glad it was with you". Earl tried to clarify.
Zoë knew that Earl was trying to compliment her in his own way and it warmed her heart. Zoë turned and looked out of the window, watching the tress pass by as she thought about all the people that Wade's and her son would have in his life. He would have Lavon Hayes, Alabama University football player, NFL player and mayor of Bluebell as his Godfather. He would have Earl Kinsella, better known as Crazy Earl; who is hopefully on his way to losing that nickname, for a grandfather. Wade Kinsella, the local heartthrob and bad boy for a father. Last but not least, he would have Zoë Hart the biggest scandal to come to Bluebell since who knows when, as a mother. She was really glad that she made her deal with Earl. This baby would have the most unique family in Bluebell but he would know he was loved.
The navigator finally found its way to pulling in the Mobile hospital. Lavon dropped Zoë and Earl off at the entrance then went off in search of a parking spot.
Zoë walked with Earl into the hospital to have a seat while they waited on Lavon to come in. They sat down in a near by waiting area.
"What's the test going to be like"? Earl asks concerned.
"I really want you to have this test but I'm not going to lie to you. They will put patches on your skin over nerves at various locations. Each patch gives off a very mild electrical impulse, which stimulates the nerve. The nerve's electrical activity is recorded by the other electrodes. The distance between electrodes and the time it takes for electrical impulses to travel between electrodes are used to determine the speed of the nerve signals. The impulse may feel like an electric shock. Depending on how strong the impulse is, you will feel it in different strengths, and it may be uncomfortable. You should feel no pain once the test is finished". Zoë explained.
"Thank you for being honest". Earl said glumly.
"You're welcome. I think". Zoë responded and reached over and rubbed his shoulder to reassure him that she was there every step of the way.
Lavon finally returned from parking the car. "Are we ready"?
"We are". Zoë answered and looked at Earl to make sure.
They walked to the maternity ward of the hospital. Lavon and Earl sat down while Zoë signed in.
"What's eating you, Earl" Lavon asked concerned.
"I'm not sure about the test anymore. It might be painful". Earl answered ashamed of himself.
"Earl, there is going to be pain no matter what you do. You seem to have this circle of pain that surrounds you. You started drinking because of pain. You need a nerve damage test that could be painful because of the drinking that was caused by the pain. If you don't have this test that circle is just going to keep going around but if you have that test at least there will be a silver lining to that circle. You will have your son, Zoë and a brand new grandbaby that will melt your heat the minute they clean the slime off of him". Lavon said giving Earl a small smile.
Earl nodded his head and then Zoë walked up to them. She sat beside Earl. "The nurse said it will be a few minutes and then the tech will bring me back". Zoë said as she put everything back in her purse from registering.
The ultrasound tech called Zoë back to the room. Zoë stood up and started to walk with her. Lavon and Earl were shortly behind her. They all walked back to a room. The tech told Zoë to sit on the table. She also told Lavon and Earl to sit in the chairs. "Before I insert my foot into my mouth, is daddy with us today"? The nurse asked.
"No, this is the baby's Godfather, Lavon and Earl is his grandfather. Dad is at work". Zoë quickly answered.
"Are you ready to see a picture of your baby"? The tech asked before she started.
"Yes". Zoë nodded.
"There he is". The tech let them look at the screen for a few minutes before she started her measurements. She also printed out some pictures of the baby's profile. The pictures were left hanging out of the printer and Earl noticed them.
"Can I have one of those? I'm having a nerve test after this and I want a reminder of what I'm doing it for". Earl asked.
"Of course you can". The tech ripped the pictures off the printer roll and picked up a pair of scissors. She cut the pictures apart and put them in cardstock frames that they use to give parents pictures in. She then handed one to Earl and one to Lavon.
"Thank you. I'll put it on my desk until the real deal comes". Lavon said looking at the print out. "He better be the first of many Godchildren". Lavon gave Zoë a pointed look.
"I thought Bluebell wasn't ready for them". Zoë shot back.
"They aren't but this one will prepare them for the next and so on and so forth". Lavon defended.
"There might be a next and if I get really drunk one night a so on but there will definitely not be a so forth". Zoë quickly added.
The tech was completely entertained by the little group and told them so as she escorted them out to the lobby before she took her next patient back.
The trio walked down the hall to the area where Earl's test would take place. Earl walked up to the check in and put his name on the list. After filling out his paperwork and returning it to the nurse, Earl returned to sit next to Zoë.
"I'm proud of you, Earl. This is a huge step and I'm glad that I could be here for it". Zoë encouraged Earl.
"I'm glad that you came to Bluebell. I know it wasn't ideal when you came here form New York but you have changed lives for the better. My son will be a better man because of you. I will be a better man because of you". Earl told her.
Zoë had tears in her eyes. No one ever told her that she changed them for the better. She couldn't help but wrap her arms around Earl.
After Earl got over his initial shock, he returned Zoë's embrace. He shed a small tear of his own as well.